By: PR Network
The Shani Shingnapur Devasthan Trust has terminated the services of 114 Muslim employees following a complaint and threat from the Maharashtra Temple Federation and the Sakal Hindu Samaj Sangathan. These employees were working in the trust’s agriculture, waste management, education, and health departments.
Shani Shingnapur, a village in Maharashtra’s Nagar district, is famous for its Lord Shani temple. Last month, the Sakal Hindu Samaj Sangathan discovered that Muslim individuals were involved in painting and renovation work at the temple. Further investigation revealed that 114 Muslim employees were working with the temple trust.
Protests and Threats
MLA Sangram Jagtap and Hindu organizations submitted a memorandum to the temple trust, demanding the removal of Muslim employees. They threatened to launch a protest if the employees were not terminated by June 14, 2025. Consequently, the trust fired 267 employees, including the 114 Muslim staff members.
Reason for Termination
The trust cited negligence and prolonged absence as the reasons for termination. The terminated employees had been working for 2-10 years and were dismissed in two phases, on June 8 and June 13. CEO Gorakhnath Darande justified the action, denying any bias and stating that it was a disciplinary measure.
Background
The trust has over 2,400 employees. Notably, 99 of the terminated Muslim employees had not reported to work for five months, and their salaries were withheld. The remaining 15 employees, some of whom had worked for 20 years, were also issued show-cause notices and had their salaries stopped. This is the first batch of employees to face action.
